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Hydrodynamic prevention of eutrophication in the Bay of Brest (France), a modelling approach
Le Pape, O.; Menesguen, A. (1997). Hydrodynamic prevention of eutrophication in the Bay of Brest (France), a modelling approach. J. Mar. Syst. 12(1-4): 171-186. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0924-7963(96)00096-6
In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573
Also appears in:
Ruddick, K. (1997). Processes in regions of freshwater influence (PROFILE): selected papers from the 27th International Liège Colloquium on Ocean Hydrodynamics, held in Liège, Belgium, on May 8-12, 1995. Journal of Marine Systems, 12(1-4). Elsevier: The Netherlands. 1-326 pp., more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keywords
    Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
    Eutrophication
    Hydrodynamics
    Nutrients (mineral)
    ANE, France, Brittany, Brest Bay [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Le Pape, O.
  • Menesguen, A.
Abstract
    The Bay of Brest is a semi-enclosed coastal ecosystem where primary production is nutrient-limited, even if huge nutrients loading from tributaries are present. The most striking feature of the bay is the semi-diurnal tidal influence, resulting in large water exchange with the continental shelf. A historical study of the available data has shown the steadiness of this ecosystem during the two last decades in spite of increasing eutrophic conditions. This study has focused on hydrodynamic exchange which is one of the factors supposed to explain the resistance of this ecosystem to eutrophication: this stirring hinders the formation of a persistent upper mixed layer where phytoplankton would be in contact with nutrient-rich brackish waters and available light. Moreover, horizontal tidal currents lead to huge exchanges with the Iroise Sea and, then, to big losses of nutrients and living matter.To study this hydrodynamic influence thoroughly, a physical/biological model of this bay has been developed. This box model, based on the horizontal tidal circulation, has been developed thanks to “ELISE”, an ecological modelling software and, then, tuned and validated on two data sets corresponding with the years 1977 and 1993. The model has allowed us to quantify the influence of hydrodynamics, climatic conditions and biological factors on biogeochemical processes in this ecosystem. It contributes to explain the good resistance of the Bay of Brest ecosystem to eutrophic conditions; both the hydrodynamic properties of this bay and the grazing pressure have prevented it from disturbances caused by high nitrogen loading from the watersheds and explain the steadiness of phytoplankton stocks in spite of increased loading. So, these results allow us to say that, even if nitrogen inputs increase continues, phytoplankton stocks will not increase in significant proportions. Nevertheless, changes in the phytoplanktonic populations may occur if such an enrichment continues.
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